, 1887-05-04

p~ervision of the Police quite sufficient for life
and property. Accidents did not happen
very often and if the Police kept a strict look
out on the vessels he hardly thought it me-
cessary to legislate in the matter. In fact
he disadvised legislation as by so doing we
would depart from the Home Rules.
4th Member for Christiansted's Town Dis
trict (RaphaeD agreed fully with the views ex-
pressed by the honorable End member for Ere.
deriksted's Town District Brown. He would
strongly advise legislation in this matter.
Could not q monthly inspection take place?
4th Crownmember (Richter) thought that
a monthly inspection would be rather much.
We may just now be able to secure the services
of competent surveyors, but that might not
always be the case.
The Governor stated that the matter now
under discussion ought not to be misunder-
stood. He would therefore repeat that when
the question of inspecting the vessels is said
as a matter concerning the public safety to
belong under the Police, it meant in no way,
that the Police should be the inspecting
medium, but it should be understood in this
way, that the Police can where grave sus-
picion is entertained report the matter to
the Government, who would then cause a
commission to be appointed to inspect the
vessel in question. He would re iterate that
he disadvised legislation in the matter, as the
question will extend itself to all shipping,
even to the shipping in st. Thomas. 1t
would be a long time before such measures
could be carried out. 1t would also be entire
ly too expensive to have a salaried man for
the purpose of inspecting. Any carpenter
could see if the hull of a vessel was rotten or
not, but the question of inspection If
taken up by legislation would have to
be connected with the rigging of the vessel
&c. the suffciency of the stores, the ability
OF the crew etc. We would also have to give
rules for the name in which accident at sea
should be inquired into; on the whole it
would be q very great and difficult under.
taking to embark on for the sake of 8 small
vessels.
End Member for Christiansted's Country
District ~(LeMming) agreed to the intention
OF the honorable And Member for.
Frederiksted Town District (Brownl
which was in a practical way to do
away with the existing, rather unsa-
tisfactory state of affairs. The question
was merely whether honorable Members
would have legislation in the matter or
whether they would be satisfied if the
Government dealt with the question admins
tratively. He would therefore put it to
the honorable interpellant if he would
withdraw his Interpolation if the Govern.
ANOhV PAOiAASC0 HAhAInLSuAdOAFCly 10 CAUS0 II
sharp look out to be kept on vessels for the
future.
End Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (Sritser) thought it no more than
right that the matter be dealt with legisla-
lively. Had not the Government intro
duced the inspection of steam boilers? This
comes under the same category
Furthermore, who would be found to report
on the unseaworthiness of a vessel? No one
would surely make it his special interest or
business to do that Why should the owners
not pay for the inspection? Had planters
not to pay for having their boilers inspected?
4th Member for Christiansted' 3 Town Dis
trict (RGphGeu) meant that the best ones to
undertake the inspection of ships were the
customs officers. The better part of the year
they had hardly anything to do and they
were always dealing with vessels and ought
to be the best qualified to undertake an IN
spection.
End Member for Christiansted's Town Dis
trict (JamieSOn) agreed fully with the last
honorable speaker. The customs Depart
ment could best furnish surveyors. The tide
walters were continually coming in contact
with the ship and it's crew and were conse-
quently the best judges as to the state of
affairs on board of these.
4th. Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (McDOnatD thought that the Pc lice
ought to keep a strict surveillance as to the